Olly Barkley signs contract extension with London Welsh

Olly Barkley signs contract extension with London Welsh

Olly Barkley has become the latest London Welsh player to recommit to the club by agreeing a contract extension.

Capped 23 times by England, the fly half joined Welsh, who play their home games at Oxford Kassam Stadium, last year.

He has made 21 appearances in all matches this season, scoring 40 points, as Welsh were relegated from the Aviva Premiership.

Barkley said: “It’s not been an easy year, but I’m committed to seeing my journey with London Welsh through, and helping to repay the great support we’ve received from fans in both Oxford and London.

“I’m really looking forward to working with our new team and the reinvigorated coaching regime, which is being put together, to put this season behind us and lay a strong foundation for promotion back to the Premiership for the 2016-17 season.

"With more re-signings to come and new signings to be announced, these are exciting times."

Welsh director of rugby Steve Lewis said: “Olly’s re-signing is a massive statement by the club with regards to its ambitions for next season.

"Olly is a former England international with nearly 200 Premiership appearances under his belt and over 1,600 points scored, and that experience and ability will be invaluable as the club targets an immediate return to the top flight.

“He is well respected amongst the players and as well as competing for a starting spot next season, Olly will play a leadership role amongst our backs and help in the development of our attacking style.”

Third in the Premiership’s all-time points scoring list, with 1,605 points in 193 Premiership appearances, Barkley made his Premiership debut for Bath in 2001, having already been capped at senior level by England as a 19-year-old.

Barkley’s international debut came on England’s 2001 summer Tour to North America against the United States in a 48-19 win in San Francisco.

He went on to rack up 82 points for his country and was a member of England’s 2007 World Cup squad.

Synonymous with Bath, Barkley enjoyed an 11-year association with The Rec – separated only by a season long spell at Gloucester in 2008-9 - before leaving in September 2012 to join Racing Metro.

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